AYSO teams fall short at state finals

Patricia Hopkins, left, and Larissa Shanton celebrate after scoring a goal for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis.COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS

Two AYSO Region 84 (Mission Viejo) teams fell short of a state title March 16 at the 2013 California State Championships in Davis.

The state finals featured league, all-star and extra play boys and girls champions from four sections – 1, 2, 10 and 11 – in Southern California.

The Thunder, who were this year's Section 11 girls under-14 extra play runners-up, were making their third appearance at the state finals in the last five years.

The squad advanced to the final after scoring a 1-0 victory over Section 10 champ Agoura Hills, but fell to Costa Mesa, 2-1, in the championship game later that day. Costa Mesa proved to be a thorn on the side of Mission Viejo this season, as they handed the team its only losses of the season – the last in the regional final last month.

"We still had a great season," said Thunder coach Jason Sorrell. "It was a lot of fun. I had a really good bunch of kids."

In the victory over Agoura Hills, Sara Hakala tallied the winning goal in the second half off a free kick by Hannah Loftus.

Costa Mesa took a 2-0 lead before the Thunder scored on a own goal off a free kick by Loftus with five minutes left in the game. "I think we could've scored again, but they sat back and defended," said Sorrell.

Sorrell, who took over as coach of the now 3-year squad this season, said the team coalesced at the right time. After a slow start, the Thunder won 10 of its last 12 games.

"I changed a few things around and it took some time for the girls to get used to the new style of play," Sorrell said. "But I knew they had some potential. We were 12th in our league before we won our last six games to advance to the regionals."

Sorrell added the team has already begun play in the spring season and won its opener, 3-0, over Corona del Mar.

"The girls are all fired up," he said.

The Galaxy, a girls under-12 extra play squad, was making its third consecutive appearance at the state finals. They too advanced to the finals of their division Saturday after defeating Agoura Hills, 2-1, in overtime, but fell to Santa Monica in the final, 3-1.

In the semifinal win, Maddie Lackie tallied the team's first goal off an assist from Skyler Whitcher. Agoura Hills tied the game late in regulation, but triumphed in the first overtime on a 20-yard blast from Alyssa Sanchez off a pass by Larissa Shinton.

State title hopes were high early against Santa Monica as the Galaxy (11-2-5) took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter on a goal by Whitcher off an assist from Sanchez. But it was all Santa Monica from there as the squad tallied the game's next three goals.

Galaxy coach Mark Hopkins said winning the section title and reaching the state tournament for the third consecutive season was quite an accomplishment.

"It was way more difficult than the two years before because we had a bullseye on our backs. We faced everybody's absolute best," he said.

The Galaxy won the state crown as a under-10 team two years ago, and took third last year.

"These girls loved to compete, and that's what I liked the most about them," said Hopkins.

Patricia Hopkins, left, and Larissa Shanton celebrate after scoring a goal for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Allison Lee delivers a kick for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Alyssa Hanzel of the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - attempts to elude a defender during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Members of the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - celebrate after scoring a goal during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Kendall Evans of the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - dribbles the ball downfield during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Larissa Shanton collects the ball for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Maddie Lackey delivers this kick for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Madison Griggs throws the ball in for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Madison Sato kicks the ball downfield for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Marissa Hardy saves the ball for going out of bounds for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Goalkeeper Megan Auer makes this save for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Patricia Hopkins heads a pass for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS
Skyler Whitcher looks upfield for the Galaxy - a Region 84 (Mission Viejo) girls under-12 extra play team - during play last weekend at the AYSO State Championships in Davis. COURTESY OF MARK HOPKINS

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